Browsers Apps

from Sailor Project

What is Browsers Apps?

Browsers Apps is an Internet toolbar/plugin (for Internet Explorer it runs as a BHO, in Chrome and Firefox it will run as an extension) that plugs into the user's default web browser and will modify a number of settings such as taking control of the browser's search and home pages, new tab functionality as well as DNS 'not found' redirection. Additionally this potentially unwanted program will change some security settings of the browser that might also lower the overall security of the user's PC. This is done in order to allow the program to run uninterrupted. Should the user attempt to uninstall the software using the standard methods in Add/Remove Programs, only parts of this PUP will be uninstalled and some items such as the modified search and home pages may still point to an unwanted web page. Also to note as disclosed in the privacy policy, the program will track and report behaviors or the user while the plugin is installed including but not limited to the URLs and web pages the user visits as well as search terms and search results the user queries.

Overview

The most common release is 1.34.7.29, with over 98% of all installations currently using this version. During setup, the program registers itself to launch on boot through a Windows Schedule Task in order to automatically start-up (this is typically done to avoid any UAC prompts). It adds a Browser Helper Object (BHO) to Internet Explorer. In the Mozilla Firefox browser, it will add an add-on. The primary executable is named utils.exe. A majority of users end up uninstalling this less than a week of it being installed. The setup package generally installs about 125 files and is usually about 13.54 MB (14,197,251 bytes).

This browser extension utilizes Crossrider framework, a cross-browser toolbar/plugin platform used to develop, deploy and monetize web browser toolbars for Internet Explorer, Chrome and Firefox. Crossrider extension provide monetization options, mostly potentially unwanted apps, for toolbars including coupons, search assistant (home page and search hijacking) and in-text contextual advertising. Many adware programs (defined by a number of anti-virus vendors) are built using Crossrider as it provides a quick an easy way to deploy ad-supported features that will assist in browser search hijacking.

Malware detected in the program

Starts automatically

Integrates into the web browser

Uses the Crossrider toolbar framework

During install it may hijack/modify the browser's homepage and search provider

Or, you can uninstall Browsers Apps from your computer by using the Add/Remove Program feature in the Window's Control Panel.

On the Start menu (for Windows 8, right-click the screen's bottom-left corner), click Control Panel, and then, under Programs, do one of the following:

Windows Vista/7/8: Click Uninstall a Program.

Windows XP: Click Add or Remove Programs.

When you find the program Browsers Apps, click it, and then do one of the following:

Windows Vista/7/8: Click Uninstall.

Windows XP: Click the Remove or Change/Remove tab (to the right of the program).

Follow the prompts. A progress bar shows you how long it will take to remove Browsers Apps.

If for some reason uninstallation fails, please install Microsoft's uninstall fixer utility which will help fix problems with programs that can't be uninstalled at support.microsoft.com.

How do I reset my web browser?

If your web browser homepage and search settings have been modfied by Browsers Apps you can restore them to their previous default settings.

Microsoft Internet Explorer

Open Internet Explorer and click the Tools button, and then click Internet options.

Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset. Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would also like to remove search providers, Accelerators and home pages. When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, click Close, and then click OK.

The changes will take effect the next time you open IE.

Mozilla Firefox

At the top of the Firefox window, click the Firefox button, go over to the Help sub-menu and select Troubleshooting Information.

To continue, click Reset Firefox in the confirmation window that opens. It will close and be reset.

When it's done, a window will list the information that was imported. Click Finish and Firefox will open.

Google Chrome

Open Chrome and click the Chrome menu on the browser toolbar.

Select Settings. In the "Search" section, click Manage search engine. Check if (Default) is displayed next to your preferred search engine. If not, mouse over it and click Make default. Mouse over any other suspicious search engine entries that are not familiar and click X to remove them.

When the "Show Home button" checkbox is selected, a web address appears below it. If you want the Homepage button to open up a different webpage, click Change to enter a link.

Restart Google Chrome.

Scan your PC for malware

If you do not have a good anti-virus program, please consider installing one. Below are some we highly recommend.